Ebola Virus Outbreak Appears Contained In Gabon A Viral Epidemic May Be Striking Wild Animals In Jungle Area

An outbreak of the deadly ebola virus in the equatorial African nation of Gabon appears to be under control, experts say. But it continues, nonetheless, to raise intriguing questions about the natural source of the mysterious disease.

Since Feb. 5, there have been 20 confirmed ebola cases in the country, according to the World Health Organization. Seven more suspected cases are under observation in Mayibout II, the remote village where the outbreak began.

Thirteen people died from the disease, including a 6-month-old baby of one of the dead adults - the first of what Dr. David Heymann, of the WHO, termed “the second-wave cases,” meaning individuals who are contracting the disease as the result of contact with others people suffering from ebola.

Meanwhile, the Gabonese Ministry of Health reported Monday from the country’s capital, Libreville, that at least one chimpanzee, two gorillas, a wild cat and an antelope have been found dead in the jungle area surrounding the remote village of Mayibout II, raising speculation that a viral epidemic is sweeping through the area’s large-animal population.

Ever since ebola came to international attention in 1976 in Yambuku, Zaire, scientists have searched in vain for its source. Some creature carries the virus, serving as its reservoir but not suffering from it.

Based on past epidemics, speculation as to the ebola reservoir has centered on bats, rats, spiders and other sedentary insects. If the animal deaths in Mayibout II are confirmed as ebola victims, experts said, it would be the first time that scientists have been able to witness movement of ebola between species in the wild.

Scientists said the disease probably was introduced in Mayibout II, when several people skinned and ate a dead chimpanzee Jan. 26.

The animal had died on its own, and scientists suspect it suffered from ebola and that the villagers were infected when they were exposed to the animal’s contaminated blood. Twelve of 13 individuals who shared the chimpanzee meat have died.

Ebola is known to be spread via direct contact with the contaminated bodily fluids of an ailing individual. It attacks the linings of blood vessels, capillaries and vital organs, causing uncontrolled bleeding. In four major epidemics studied since 1976, ebola has killed up to 92 percent of its human victims.